Jennifer Lopez has been quite candid regarding her separation from Ben Affleck. In a recent interview on “CBS Sunday Morning,” the 56-year-old actress and singer opened up about her participation in Affleck’s project, “Kiss of the Spider Woman.” She described her divorce as “the best thing that’s happened to me.”
Lopez explained how the experience changed her for the better, saying, “It helped me grow and become more self-aware. I’m now a different person than I was last year… It has shown me that joy is real, and it’s all about embracing those moments and learning from them.”
She noted, “Everything feels a bit lighter now, and I can really soar.” When asked if she feels like she’s flying these days, she affirmed and added, “I still want to fly even higher.”
In this interview, Lopez also mentioned that Affleck was an executive producer on the film while still married, emphasizing, “This is the role I was born to play,” and credited him for making it happen. She described working on it as both the best and the worst experience, filled with happiness during her time playing the role.
“It helped me grow and grow in a way that required me to be more self-aware. I’m now a different person from last year.”
The film made its debut at the Sundance Film Festival in January. It’s based on the 1993 Broadway musical “Kiss of the Spider Woman,” itself adapted from a novel dating back to 1976. The story revolves around a political prisoner who connects with his fellow inmate through the tale of a Hollywood musical featuring his beloved actress, portrayed by Lopez.
The couple’s journey together began in 2002 while filming “Gigli,” continuing for two years before their engagement in 2004. They each married others and began families before reuniting in 2021. After getting engaged again in April 2022, they married in July.
Reflecting on their initial split, Lopez mentioned it as the most significant heartbreak of her life, saying, “I honestly thought I was going to die.” She expressed that it took them nearly 20 years to reach a happy resolution.
Sadly, Lopez filed for divorce in August 2024, just two years after their wedding.
When Affleck spoke to GQ in April 2025, he touched on their breakup, acknowledging that people usually look for reasons behind a separation. Yet, he described their situation as rather straightforward, saying there were no scandals or melodramas involved. “The truth is, when you ask someone about it, it’s simple: ‘This is what happened.'”
